Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone, inaugurates and dedicates to the Nation development projects worth over ₹14,000 Crore in Banaskantha, Gujarat

Prime Minister’s Office

प्रविष्टि तिथि: 30 OCT 2026 4:11PM by PIB Delhi

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated, and dedicated to the nation development projects worth over ₹14,000 crore today in Banaskantha, Gujarat. Speaking on the sacred soil of Mother Amba shortly after Navratri, he unveiled multiple initiatives for women, children, farmers, and cattle rearers, while also disbursing a fresh installment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi to tens of millions of small farmers nationwide.

Describing farmers and annadatas as among the strongest pillars of a Viksit Bharat, the Prime Minister stated that the government has consistently prioritized their welfare and empowerment, increasing the national agricultural budget more than fivefold compared to 2013-14. Noting that the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi has become an integral part of small farmers’ lives, he highlighted that over 1,000 crore rupees have been deposited into the accounts of more than 50 lakh farmers in Gujarat, including nearly 50 crore rupees for lakhs of farming families in Banaskantha. “Today, an amount of more than 18 thousand crore rupees has been sent into the accounts of about 10 crore farmers,” noted PM Modi.

Highlighting that government policies over recent years have delivered or saved more than 50 lakh crore rupees for farmers, the Prime Minister cited the first of five key examples by pointing out that nearly 4.5 lakh crore rupees have been transferred directly into the bank accounts of small farmers under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. He observed that  small farmers constitute over 85 percent of the farming community and our  government cared for such small farmers and provided them help through PM Kisan Samman Nidhi,” asserted Shri Modi.

Pointing to the sharp surge in global fertilizer prices amid international uncertainty over the past few years, the Prime Minister emphasized that his farmer-centric government shielded cultivators from the price hike. “The government spent about 16 lakh crore rupees on this,” noted PM Modi.

The Prime Minister underscored that the government fulfilled its MSP commitment. “In the past 12 years, wheat and paddy farmers have received more than 24 lakh crore rupees as MSP,” observed Shri Modi.

Spotlighting the strong security shield provided to cultivators through the PM Fasal Bima Yojana, the Prime Minister stated that farmers have received over 2 lakh crore rupees in crop insurance compensation over the last 10 to 12 years, alongside continuous efforts to reduce irrigation costs through the expanding role of the PM-KUSUM scheme. He explained that the distribution of nearly 12 lakh solar pumps under the scheme has generated additional electricity and saved lakhs of farmers the expense of purchasing over 80 crore liters of diesel, bringing the total financial benefit or savings from just these five major schemes and decisions to 50 lakh crore rupees. “These 50 lakh crore rupees have increased the income of the country’s farmers and enhanced the capability of agriculture in India,” asserted PM Modi.

Emphasizing that agriculture is both a tradition and a vital part of Indian culture, the Prime Minister stated that the government has extensively integrated science and technology into farming and animal husbandry over the past 12 years. He cited the Soil Health Card as a prime example that resolved farmers’ earlier difficulties in determining the exact type and quantity of fertilizer required for their fields, modernizing agricultural practices across the country. “Today more than 26 crore Soil Health Cards are with the country’s farmers,” noted Shri Modi.

Acknowledging that changing weather patterns pose a major challenge to cultivators, the Prime Minister stated that the government is continuously striving to provide farmers with new climate-resilient seed varieties. “In recent years, about three thousand new varieties of seeds have been made available to farmers,” observed PM Modi.

Highlighting animal husbandry as a vital component of the rural economy with massive participation from rural women, the Prime Minister emphasized the integration of science and technology into the dairy and livestock sector over the past decade. He explained that superior animal breeds boost milk yields while timely vaccination and medical treatment curb losses from disease. “Meaning, if the animal is healthy, the earnings of my livestock-rearing brothers and sisters will also increase,” affirmed Shri Modi.

Spotlighting the Rashtriya Gokul Mission’s role in promoting the conservation and scientific breeding of indigenous livestock, the Prime Minister noted that the newly built research center in Banaskantha will strengthen this mission by conserving and improving the quality of indigenous cow breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, and Kankrej, as well as buffalo breeds like Mehsana, Murrah, and Jaffarabadi, serving as the country’s first such facility for the Kankrej breed. He explained that when a farmer wishes to pass down the traits of a high-yielding, low-maintenance, healthy cow to future generations, modern technologies like IVF increase the probability of transferring those superior qualities. “The livestock farmer will get its direct benefit,” noted PM Modi.

Stating that protecting livestock from ailments like foot-and-mouth disease is a key priority because such illnesses impact both animal health and milk yields, the Prime Minister highlighted the launch of a nationwide free vaccination drive. He pointed out that about 150 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far, providing free vaccination to the livestock of over 8 crore farmers. “This has also reduced the financial burden on livestock farmers,” observed Shri Modi.

Pointing to the visible impact of these interventions on dairy output, the Prime Minister noted that average daily milk yield per cow or buffalo has risen from under 5 liters in 2013-14 to nearly 8 liters today, giving India the fastest milk productivity growth rate in the world and benefiting rural farming families. “India is number one in the world in milk production,” remarked PM Modi.

Expressing the government’s resolve to help livestock rearers earn from cow dung as well as milk, the Prime Minister stated that infrastructure is being built with the vital support of institutions like Banas Dairy to produce biogas, bio-CNG, and organic fertilizer from dung and farm residue, marked by the foundation stone laying of two bio-CNG plants today. He underscored the clear objective of keeping livestock healthy, increasing milk yields, and ensuring the complete utilization of dung. “We are making animal husbandry not just a tradition, but a powerful instrument for increasing farmers’ income and enriching villages,” asserted Shri Modi.

Explaining that the government has worked with a holistic approach over recent years to ensure rural prosperity, the Prime Minister pointed to the vast expansion of the fisheries sector and the promotion of cooperatives within it. “You will be glad to hear that India’s seafood exports have more than doubled,” noted PM Modi.

Highlighting beekeeping as another major avenue of supplementary income for farmers, the Prime Minister noted that honey production has doubled over the past 12 years and lauded the growing contribution of women’s Self-Help Groups in driving this Madhu Kranti. “You will be proud to know that our country has become the second-largest exporter of natural honey,” observed Shri Modi.

Recalling that on October 7 he completed 25 years of service as the head of a government after first taking oath on October 7, 2001, the Prime Minister reflected on the immense love and guidance he received from every Gujarati at a time when he knew nothing of government offices or official files. He expressed gratitude to the people for entrusting a person from a poor family, whose ancestors never even dreamed of becoming a village sarpanch, with the responsibility of serving first Gujarat and then the nation. “And even more than love, every single Gujarati has taught me and led me on the right path,” remarked PM Modi.

Stating that he only knew the two guiding principles of serving the nation through public service and developing the country through Gujarat’s development while learning everything else from the people, the Prime Minister credited citizens for whatever he has achieved for the nation. “For this, I will remain indebted to you for life, and until the last moment of life, I will remain engaged in your service,” affirmed Shri Modi.

Reminding older citizens of the acute water and electricity shortages that plagued the region 25 years ago, the Prime Minister recalled how the people heeded his appeal to conserve both resources and transformed their circumstances so thoroughly that those old hardships now remain only in memories. “I will say the same thing to you again today, that we have to save water, save electricity,” urged PM Modi.

Highlighting how Narmada waters and modern technologies like drip irrigation have transformed Banaskantha and made its potatoes world-famous alongside Banas Dairy’s expansion of the cooperative movement to Kashi and beyond, the Prime Minister pointed out that the capacity of the potato plant that makes French fries has also been increased to enable greater procurement of potatoes. “This is a very big facility for potato farmers,” noted Shri Modi.

Detailing the ongoing cluster development program for fruit and vegetable cultivators under which 12 clusters were approved today for tomato, potato, chili, grapes, banana, onion, orange, pomegranate, and cocoa, the Prime Minister stated that farmers are receiving subsidies to plant new orchards and rejuvenate old ones. “The two clusters received in North Gujarat will greatly benefit the potato farmers of Banaskantha and Sabarkantha,” observed PM Modi.

Listing several major infrastructure projects inaugurated or initiated for Gujarat’s development today, the Prime Minister highlighted the flagging off of two new rail services, the Ahmedabad-Varanasi Sabarmati Express and the Mehsana-Becharaji-Sabarmati MEMU train, alongside the expansion of the Ahmedabad Metro with foundation stones laid for metro projects connecting GIFT City and the airport. “The Ahmedabad-Mehsana highway is now going to become eight-lane from four-lane,” noted Shri Modi.

Spotlighting new social welfare infrastructure launched for the children of the state today, the Prime Minister noted that over 4,000 modern Anganwadis have been inaugurated across Gujarat. “This will benefit about 4 lakh children and pregnant mothers,” observed PM Modi.

Stating that every such developmental effort is aimed at building a developed India as every farmer, youth, sister, and daughter marches forward with the resolve of a Viksit Bharat, the Prime Minister remarked that unfortunately some elements dislike this progress and wish to see the nation in difficulty. “When crises befall the country, they feel happy,” remarked Shri Modi.

Citing the ongoing war around Iran and the Gulf countries as a recent example where India stood united to face the situation while certain elements spread rumors to scare farmers about fertilizer shortages and women about gas supplies, the Prime Minister stated that their plan was to trigger chaos in the country to defame him. “When India was engaged in facing this unitedly, then these people kept spreading rumors,” remarked PM Modi.

Reminding the farming community of his solemn assurance to stand firmly beside them, the Prime Minister pointed out that the government prevented any scarcity of agricultural inputs despite the ongoing conflict.

Noting that the war caused global prices of fertilizers and raw chemicals to skyrocket, the Prime Minister highlighted that the government shielded Indian cultivators from the burden, providing a bag of urea that costs 3,000 rupees globally for under 300 rupees in India, and supplying a bag of DAP that exceeds 5,000 rupees internationally for just 1,350 rupees. “The country is providing this help so that our farmer is empowered, and the farmer’s life becomes better,” affirmed PM Modi.

Emphasizing that India’s rapid development offers new hope to an uncertain world and requires marching continuously on the path of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, the Prime Minister noted that October 31 marks National Unity Day when the entire nation runs with the inspiration of unity amid grand preparations for the Run for Unity. “I would urge all countrymen, especially my young companions, to participate enthusiastically in the Run for Unity tomorrow morning,” exhorted Shri Modi.

Pointing out a schedule change for the annual Unity Festival at Ekta Nagar on October 31, the Prime Minister announced that this year’s celebrations will take place grandly at 5:30 PM tomorrow evening featuring police and security force parades and tableaus, and urged citizens from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Kutch to Kamakhya to join the event and bow to Sardar Patel while reiterating the resolve of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. “With this request, once again best wishes to all of you for the development works,” concluded PM Modi.

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